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Friday, October 24, 2008

The First Frost - Out With the Old & In With the New.. BULBS!

Now that we've had a few good frosts, don't forget to plant your spring bulbs. In warmer climates, there is still time - 6 weeks before the ground freezes is the guideline I have found.

Tulips don't like wet feet, and they prefer sunny locations. Fluff the soil, and plant bulbs together in clusters 6-10 inches deep with the pointy ends up. The deeper the bulbs, the hardier, but later they will bloom.

Now is also the time to dig up your dahlias. Dahlias add brilliant colour and variety to gardens, but they can be costly to purchase. Saving them in the fall lets you enjoy their beauty year after year.

Once the first frost has nipped the tops off, dig up the bulbs and brush the soil off. Dusting them with powdered sulfur will protect them from insects and disease. Store them in a paper bag in a cool, dry place. Consider labelling the bag with the colour, so you'll know what you have in the spring.